Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-01-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
SATURDAY. Jan. Is,

House-In the morning hour the house
proceeded to the consideration of joint
resolution authorizing an investigation
of the books, accounts and methods of
the Pacific railroads which have re-
ceived aid from the United States. Crisp
(Ga.) presented conference report on
the Interstate commerce bill, stating
that he did not do SO for the purpose
of asking action upon it at this time but
in order that it might be printed in the
Record and in bill form. This was Or
dered. Crisp then gave notice that he
would call up the report at an
early day. The house then went into
committee of the whole on the river and
harbor bill. Hepburn Ga.), while favor
ing the system of waterway improve
ments, opposed the Swapping off, theory
upon which the bill was formed and
criticized severely some of the features
Of the measure, especially that which pro-
vides for the improvement of the Mis-
sissippi in accordance with the plans Of
the commission. Pending further de-
bate the committee rose and the house
adjourned.
MONDAY, Jan. II.
Senate The select committee on
the centennial of the constitution
reported a resolution that it is ex-
pedient that the centennial anniversary
of the inauguration of the constitution
be celebrated in 1889, by an address to be
delivered before the president of the
United States and the two houses of con-
gress by the chief justices Of the United
States, to which representatives of for
eign governments shall be invited, and
that the occasion shall be further cele-
brated by suitable civic and military OBJ
servances, the details thereof to be settled
hereafter. The resolution was adopted.
Sawyer offered a resolution instructing
the attorney general to investigate the
judgments and awards against the
United States, arising under the act of
March 3, 1875, to aid in the Improvement
of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers and to
report the liability of the United States
therefor. Adopted. On motion of SAWYER
the senate proceeded to consider and
pass the pension bills on the calendar.
Forty pension bills, principally house
bills, were passed, and the pension ap-
preparation bill, approprieting $7O,OO5
900, was taken up and passed with only
few immaterial amendments. The army
appropriation bill was then taken mp. The
bill was passed with a few unimportant
amendme nts. The senate then ad-
journed.
House Under the call Of states the
following bills were introduced and re-
ferred in the house: Mr.. Hermann, of
Oregon, proposing constitutional
amendment for the election of United
States senators by the people of the states.
Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas, calling upon
the attorney general for information as
to the legal authority under which the
directors of the Union Pacific railroad
company consolidated that company
with the Kansas Pacific railroad com
pany and the Denver Pacific railroad
company, and reerganized the same I'M
der the name of the Union Pacific rail-
road company. Mr.. Mattson, of
Indiana, On behalf of the com
mittee on claims On invalid pen
sions moved to suspend the rules and
pass the bill for the relief of dependent
parents and honorably discharged soldiers
and sailors who are now disabled and de-
pendent upon their own labor for sup
port. The total number of persons who
would be benefited by the second section
was estimated at 80, los, and the annual
cost to the government would not reach
S6,O0O,OOO. Mr.. Warner, of Ohio. said
this bill was rather pauper bill than a
pension bill. Mr.. Springer, of Illinois,
favored the bill as fair and conservative
measure. The bill was then passed;
yeas, 179;uays, rs. The house then ad-
iourned.
TUESDAY, Jan. Is.
Senate-Sen. Morrill,, from the finance
committee, reported the bill to reimburse
the depositors Of theWashington Freed
mems bank. Placed on the calender.
Sen. Hawley, from the select committee
on the centennial celebration, Joint
resolution providing for the appointment
of a joint committee of i've senators and
eight representatives to consider the ex-
pedience of holding in 1892 an interna-
tional exhibition of le industries and